Cadbury's Easter season

Otherwise little known in the United States, Cadbury eggs are still a favorite Easter treat.

By By LEVI PULKKINEN

on March 14, 2013 3:15 PM

Photo: ODD ANDERSEN//

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The UK’s favorite candy maker doesn’t get much notice here 11 months out of the year. But with Easter around the corner – and chocolate eggs fattening the nation – it’s time for a look back at Cadbury. less

The UK’s favorite candy maker doesn’t get much notice here 11 months out of the year. But with Easter around the corner – and chocolate eggs fattening the nation – it’s time for a look back at ... more

Fridtjof Nansen (1861-1930) Norwegian Arctic explorer shown making a cup of Cadbury's cocoa during his expedition on the 'Fram' 1893-1895. Cadbury supplied about 1,500 pounds to the expedition. (London, 30 Decemebr 1893). less

Fridtjof Nansen (1861-1930) Norwegian Arctic explorer shown making a cup of Cadbury's cocoa during his expedition on the 'Fram' 1893-1895. Cadbury supplied about 1,500 pounds to the expedition. (London, 30 ... more

A family sitting around the breakfast table in an 1886 advertisement for Cadbury's cocoa.

A family sitting around the breakfast table in an 1886 advertisement for Cadbury's cocoa.

Photo: Hulton Archive, /

A family sitting around the breakfast table in an 1886... Photo-4326037.58444 - seattlepi.com

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Although solid chocolate for eating was not invented until the early 19th century, milk chocolate appeared in 1876, when it was developed by Daniel Peter, a Swiss confectioner. Cadbury's introduced its milk chocolate into the British market in 1905, and by 1913 Cadbury's Dairy Milk was the company's best selling brand. Cadbury's slogan "a glass and a half of full cream milk in every half pound" began in 1938, and their recipe for chocolate remained basically the same throughout its history. less

Although solid chocolate for eating was not invented until the early 19th century, milk chocolate appeared in 1876, when it was developed by Daniel Peter, a Swiss confectioner. Cadbury's introduced its milk ... more

Photo: Science & Society Picture Librar, /

Although solid chocolate for eating was not invented until the... Photo-4326120.58444 - seattlepi.com

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In this 1953 advertisement, a mother finally gets to meet her daughter's boyfriends by enticing them in with an offer of Cadbury's Drinking Chocolate.

In this 1953 advertisement, a mother finally gets to meet her daughter's boyfriends by enticing them in with an offer of Cadbury's Drinking Chocolate.

Two women at the Cadbury's chocolate factory in Bournville, in the West Midlands, England, join together chocolate Easter egg halves in 1932.

Two women at the Cadbury's chocolate factory in Bournville, in the West Midlands, England, join together chocolate Easter egg halves in 1932.

Photo: Fox Photos, /

Two women at the Cadbury's chocolate factory in Bournville, in... Photo-4326024.58444 - seattlepi.com

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This 1932 photograph of two children dressed up as Bobby Bear and Ruby Rabbit outside a newsagent's shop in Streatham, London.

This 1932 photograph of two children dressed up as Bobby Bear and Ruby Rabbit outside a newsagent's shop in Streatham, London.

Photo: Daily Herald Archive, /

This 1932 photograph of two children dressed up as Bobby Bear and... Photo-4325983.58444 - seattlepi.com

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A photograph of workers wrapping chocolate Easter eggs at the Cadbury Brothers Ltd. factory in Bourneville, West Midlands, England, taken by George Woodbine for the Daily Herald newspaper on Feb. 23, 1933.

A photograph of workers wrapping chocolate Easter eggs at the Cadbury Brothers Ltd. factory in Bourneville, West Midlands, England, taken by George Woodbine for the Daily Herald newspaper on Feb. 23, 1933.

View of a machine used in the sorting and processing of cocoa beans at the Cadbury chocolate manufacturing plant, Bourneville, Birmingham, England, 1920.

View of a machine used in the sorting and processing of cocoa beans at the Cadbury chocolate manufacturing plant, Bourneville, Birmingham, England, 1920.

Photo: Mansell, /

View of a machine used in the sorting and processing of cocoa beans... Photo-4326126.58444 - seattlepi.com

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English singer Cilla Black at the Savoy Hotel, London, with a special presentation box of chocolates, her award after being chosen as the Mothers' Day "personality mother of the year" by British sweetshop owners, March 18, 1971. The award was presented by Cadbury Director Dominic Cadbury. less

English singer Cilla Black at the Savoy Hotel, London, with a special presentation box of chocolates, her award after being chosen as the Mothers' Day "personality mother of the year" by British sweetshop ... more

Chocolate melts at quite low temperatures, which allows it to be cast easily. If chocolate cools too quickly, it could solidify before it fills the mold and the ingredients would separate out. To prevent this, the mold is warmed to almost the same temperature as melted chocolate, filled, and vibrated. This gets rid of air bubbles and distributes the chocolate around the mold. Cadbury's introduced its milk chocolate into the British market in 1905, and by 1913 Cadbury's Dairy Milk was the company's best selling brand. less

Chocolate melts at quite low temperatures, which allows it to be cast easily. If chocolate cools too quickly, it could solidify before it fills the mold and the ingredients would separate out. To prevent this, ... more

Two half-pound chocolate trays made from plastics. The thin sheets of plastic are vaccuum-formed into the shape required.

Two half-pound chocolate trays made from plastics. The thin sheets of plastic are vaccuum-formed into the shape required.

Photo: Science & Society Picture Librar, /

Two half-pound chocolate trays made from plastics. The thin sheets... Photo-4326123.58444 - seattlepi.com

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A man dressed as a gorilla and singer Billy Bragg pose with a poster of a giant Cadbury creme egg as they protest against the potential sale of Cadbury to Kraft Foods outside the Houses of Parliament on Dec. 16, 2009 in London. American food producer Kraft made a hostile bid for Cadbury before an agreement was reached. In the U.S. however, Cadbury products are made by Hershey. less

A man dressed as a gorilla and singer Billy Bragg pose with a poster of a giant Cadbury creme egg as they protest against the potential sale of Cadbury to Kraft Foods outside the Houses of Parliament on Dec. ... more

Photo: Oli Scarff, /

A man dressed as a gorilla and singer Billy Bragg pose with a... Photo-4326114.58444 - seattlepi.com

A security guard (right) carrying a cash deposit box walks past a protester demonstrating outside the head office of Cadbury in Birmingham, England, on Jan. 19, 2010 after Cadbury agreed to a takeover by Kraft.

A security guard (right) carrying a cash deposit box walks past a protester demonstrating outside the head office of Cadbury in Birmingham, England, on Jan. 19, 2010 after Cadbury agreed to a takeover by Kraft.

An employee of Cadbury, dressed as a gorilla, joins workers to show their support for Cadbury as they and their union Unite launched their campaign to protect the company's independence on Dec. 15, 2009 in Birmingham, England. less

An employee of Cadbury, dressed as a gorilla, joins workers to show their support for Cadbury as they and their union Unite launched their campaign to protect the company's independence on Dec. 15, 2009 in ... more

Photo: Christopher Furlong, /

An employee of Cadbury, dressed as a gorilla, joins workers to show... Photo-4326139.58444 - seattlepi.com

Each guest attending the "Prom At The Palace" classical concert at Buckingham Palace received a gift bag containing a half-bottle of Lanson champagne, a champagne flute, Waitrose smoked salmon roulade, a bread ... more

Photo: Tim Graham, /

Each guest attending the "Prom At The Palace" classical... Photo-4326032.58444 - seattlepi.com

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An unidentified person with signs of blistered feet rests as teams arrive at Cockle Creek on Nov. 12, 2003 during The Cadbury Schweppes Mark Webber Challenge in Tasmania, Australia.

An unidentified person with signs of blistered feet rests as teams arrive at Cockle Creek on Nov. 12, 2003 during The Cadbury Schweppes Mark Webber Challenge in Tasmania, Australia.

Sir Elton John was turned into a chocolate statue, thanks to a collaboration between Madame Tussaud's and Cadbury Dairy Milk to celebrate the latter's centenary. The 385-pound statue was unveiled by Elton's partner, David Furnish. less

Sir Elton John was turned into a chocolate statue, thanks to a collaboration between Madame Tussaud's and Cadbury Dairy Milk to celebrate the latter's centenary. The 385-pound statue was unveiled by Elton's ... more

Photo: Fred Duval, /

Sir Elton John was turned into a chocolate statue, thanks to a... Photo-4325973.58444 - seattlepi.com

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"The Only Way Is Essex" reality TV star Lydia Bright poses in tribute to a well-known image featuring TV cook Nigella Lawson in celebration of Cadbury's creme egg season in the build-up to Easter prior to the 2012 London Olympic Games. less

"The Only Way Is Essex" reality TV star Lydia Bright poses in tribute to a well-known image featuring TV cook Nigella Lawson in celebration of Cadbury's creme egg season in the build-up to Easter prior to the ... more

Photo: Handout, /

"The Only Way Is Essex" reality TV star Lydia Bright... Photo-4325969.58444 - seattlepi.com

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Cadbury celebrates what they call "creme egg season" with an event in Covent Garden during the Goo Games, on Feb. 15, 2012 in London.

Cadbury celebrates what they call "creme egg season" with an event in Covent Garden during the Goo Games, on Feb. 15, 2012 in London.